Go-ahead for mid-air mobiles

BUDGET airline passengers will soon be able to chat on their mobile phones during the flight for the first time.

Up to now the use of mobiles on aircraft has been banned in case phone signals interfered with the plane's navigation and radio equipment.

But Ryanair has now struck a deal with telecom firm OnAir to allow passengers to make and receive calls, text messages and emails while in the air.

It is the first European airline to do so and the move will put pressure on others to follow suit. Specially-developed telephone receivers will be installed in 50 Ryanair Boeing 737s next year. The rest of its 200-strong fleet will be kitted out in 2008.

A small-scale base station on board the aircraft will direct mobile signals via a satellite to the ground network of communications masts.

The cost of calls will mirror international roaming charges and Ryanair will receive a commission on any calls made during its flights. Users will be charged on their normal monthly bills.

But the move has received a mixed reception, with warnings that excessive mobile use in the air could raise stress levels among other passengers.

For many, plane journeys are one of the few remaining havens from mobile phones and it remains to be seen how popular the service will be with customers. In a recent consultation, telecoms regulator Ofcom warned of 'the potential for increased levels of agitation' among passengers who have to listen to other people's conversations and ringtones.

'Aircraft operators will need to decide on procedures for permitted use and on how the service should be offered - e.g. business-class only, quiet zones, system downtime (for when passengers might wish to sleep) etc,' it said.

Asked recently if mobile phone use would irritate travellers, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said: 'As long as it is generating money I couldn't care less.'

Today Mr O'Leary said: 'This is another revolutionary passenger service initiative from Ryanair. This is a win-win for Ryanair, OnAir and most importantly our customers.

'The revenues generated by on-board mobile telephony will reduce our costs and help us to keep offering the lowest fares in Europe.'

The airline has been looking at a number of other ways to increase profits and offset the rising cost of oil. It is also looking to introduce in-flight internet games and gambling.